34 CHOICE OF FRUIT TREES IN THE NURSERY. 



they may be used. The necessity of pruning-in and dress- 

 ing mangled roots is more particularly required in trees of 

 the stone fruit, such as Apricots, Nectarines, Peaches, Plums, 

 &c. ; for without the application of some remedy, they gum 

 at the roots, which defect, if not counteracted, very materi- 

 ally injures the upper part of the trees, which may become 

 so affected as never to recover afterward ; therefore; great 

 care should be taken not to occasion such injury ; and when 

 accidents happen, all due caution and application are neces- 

 sary to promote a healthy and vigorous growth. 



A young tree, likely to do well, should have roots nearly 

 corresponding to the branches ; at least, it should have one 

 strong root in a similar proportion to the bole of the tree, 

 with a proper distribution of branching fibres. Healthy 

 roots are always smooth and clear ; their colour varies a lit- 

 tle according to the kind of tree, but the older the roots are, 

 the darker the colour is. 



After the tree is taken up, be careful, in conveying it to 

 the place where it is to be planted, that the roots are not 

 chafed or rubbed. If trees are to be conveyed to a consid- 

 erable distance, they should be well guarded by straw, or 

 otherwise, in order to prevent injury. All damaged or bruised 

 roots should be pruned as soon as the tree is taken up, but 

 if it be necessary to prune away any sound, good roots, such 

 pruning should be delayed until the time of planting. In 

 pruning away roots, always let them be finished by a clear 

 cut, and in a sloping direction ; the slope should be toward 

 the under stratum, so that the wet may not be allowed to 

 lodge upon the part so cut. When trees are planted at an 

 advanced season in the spring of .the year, it will be neces- 

 sary to prune the tops ; arid if trees are removed that have 

 been trained three or four years, and are not properly sup- 

 plied with young wood, they must be cut down either wholly 

 or partially, in order to obtain a sufficiency. In practising 

 this upon Apricot and Nectarine trees, &c., always prune 

 so as to have a leading shoot close below the cut, as it is 



